YOUR CART

Before I take the time to deliver some of the most amazing news I have ever received in my life, I want to paint a picture of where I am sitting in this exact moment. I am sitting on the balcony porch of a house that my family has rented for vacation multiple times before. The house is located in a small town in Oklahoma called Broken Bow, which sits smack dab in the middle of Beaver’s Bend State Park. My view includes a beautiful picture of the woods surrounding the house that go on for about a half mile before they meet the road. The sky is slowly fading from a light blue color to an orange, and lastly a faded white aligned with the setting of the sun. There is a slow rain falling that is softly hitting leaves on it’s way to the ground. In front of me, on a glass table, sits my wig.

My wig. I realized as I was writing this, that I haven’t talked about my wig on the blog very often. I guess I just assumed that people who saw me in public or saw my instagram knew that I wore it pretty often, but that I didn’t mind venturing out into the world with my shiny bald head every once in a while. Recently after I received the results from my final scans I slowly started to become more discouraged about the fact that I still don’t have any hair. Dealing with eyebrows that are completely gone and eyelashes that still seem to be hanging on somewhat, has not been the most ideal experience. I have to continue to remind myself that the hair grows back and the scars will fade; wise words once written by the great Kate McMordie. Sitting beside (and I mean literally next to) your hair is a weird thing to think about. But, the fact that I have the choice to take off or put on my hair is reminder to me that hair is a temporary thing. Yes, most all of us have it, and yes, hair is a large part of the way we define ourselves when it comes to image, but I’ve said it many times and I will say it again…I wish for just a moment of your life, you had the chance to look in the mirror at yourself minus the quality that you believe makes or breaks your appearance. That quality is beautiful and God made you exactly the way he planned to all along, but I pray that you try your hardest not to get caught up in this one part of yourself. Little do you know, God looks at every single part of you, and says to himself, “This is beautiful…this is good.” So embrace the bald head or the long toes or the big ears. Bubbles of weakness may get you down, but don’t ever let them stop you from understanding the Love that the Father has for us.

The rain. People who know me well know that I love the rain. I love the sight of rain, the smell of rain, and the way concrete feels when it’s wet from rain. Just recently, I realized that maybe the reason I love rain so much is because it causes me to sit in awe of God as it falls from the sky.Rain awakens all of my senses, causing my eyes to watch, my nose to smell, my ears to hear, and my hands to touch the sight, smell, sound, and feeling of rain. Some people may think it is cliche to say that the Lord’s presence can be felt the strongest while sitting amongst nature, in the middle of the woods where all you can hear are the birds chirping and the trees swaying…but, how often do we truly stop and take the chance to simply sit? Life is so busy that I rarely stop and make myself say “wow God, that tree is beautiful and was created by you.” While on the subject of the creator and back to talking about looking in the mirror, it is just as easy to look at a flower and admire its beauty as it is to look at yourself and admire your beauty. Because when it all comes down to it, God created us and shaped you and that flower, in his hands, to be perfectly crafted the exact way he wanted. So yes, dance in the rain and take a deep breath of that fresh air the next time you’re walking to your car and it happens to start sprinkling. Breathe in the creation. I promise you won’t regret it.

Home. Just a few nights ago I was having dinner with some friends and my good friend Maddie said something that made me reflect on my five month long cancer journey. She said, “Home is the people, not the place.” We both decided that this saying was probably written down somewhere else, or said by someone else in some other form of words, but in that moment, Maddie’s words caused me to stop and think. Home is most certainly the people and not the place. Let me say that I love where I live, and I love my community. But, what makes my home, home is the people who surround me where I live and uplift me amidst my mountains and valleys. Sitting on this porch tonight, on the outside of a house filled with a large part of my family, I can recognize that this spot, right here in Broken Bow, Oklahoma for the last couple of days, is home. Over the last few months my mom and I have traveled back and forth from Round Rock to Houston a total of 10 times. When I am in Houston, surrounded by the amazing doctors and nurses that I now consider close friends and almost family, I am home. While sitting across from Connor laughing about something, crying about something, or simply enjoying each other’s company, I am home. While spending time with my sweet friends who I will be parting from soon, I am home. While spread out in our enos surrounded by woods and the Ouachita Lake giggling with my camp friends, I am home. And lastly, as new people come into my life in a new city, at a new school, I will be home.

Oh, to be free. Finally. The moment we all prayed for. A short five months lived and lived well. On May 29th at 8:40 pm I received news that I was officially cancer free. There were many tears and I am so thankful for the journey that I have had the opportunity to embark on. January 25th seems like years ago, but it also seems like days ago. This whole time period has forced me to grow in ways that I never imagined I would have to grow at the age of 18. God has taught me that no matter how hard I try, I have no control of how my life looks now or how my life will look years down the road. Most people ask me if this time period has felt like it happened in the blink of an eye. Most of the time I answer that question by saying, “on the hard days, the last five months felt like they would never end…but God gave me so many other good days that caused me to thank him for the lessons I’ve learned and the experiences I’ve had. I will honestly say that I do feel as if I’ve just lived through 5 years rather than 5 months. To some people that may sound crazy, but I feel I have been taught things that some adults never come to understand, and I have literally been forced to do things that were originally out of my comfort zone, making me a stronger person all the more.

So, what are the next steps? I will be headed back to Houston tomorrow for a radiation simulation where I will get a CT Scan to survey the area that I will be receive radiation. I will also get measured and marked for all of my upcoming treatments in order to ensure accuracy and prevent healthy tissue from being radiated in the process. We learned last week that I will only be receiving radiation to my neck and chest (no abdomen!!! woohoo!!!). I will complete 14 days of treatment at MD Anderson hopefully starting mid-June, and should be done around the beginning of July. My “Ring the Bell” ceremony is planned for early July and I am so ready to ring that bell loud and proud! ​ Cancer, you have been beaten.

PRAISE AND GLORY TO THE GREAT PHYSICIAN! GOD IS GOOD. Rylie, you can never know the impact you have made on thousands. I have a beautiful 18 year old granddaughter and we have learned from you so much. Thank you and prayers will continue throughout your radiation. Keep on keeping on. Love

This is one of the greatest news I've read here on the internet! It makes me happy to know that you're finally cancer free. Cancer picked the wrong girl indeed. Aside from medical reasons, your faith made everything possible for you. I can just imagine how happy you are right now that's why I couldn't help but feel the same thing for you. There's a long life ahead of you and I am excited for you to live your life in a more meaningful way!

Coronas

6/7/2018 04:18:34 pm

Such beautiful words Rylie. Still prayjng and praising!

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ashley yost

6/5/2018 08:27:19 pm

Rylie, you are a true inspiration and i am ecstatic that you kicked cancers butt!

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Carley Altenburger

6/5/2018 08:33:36 pm

So proud of you Rylie. You have inspired me and so many others. You are so strong and I am so happy for you. Thank you for writing all your kind words for me and everyone along your journey.

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Ann Chenault

6/5/2018 08:47:40 pm

You have taken me on an amazing journey & I’m looking forward to complete it with you!!!

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Ruth Sweet

6/6/2018 07:32:52 am

Best News!!!You are an amazing young lady and I am so happy for you.

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Kevin Austin

6/6/2018 09:08:02 am

Let me first just say WOW our God is amazing and as I read these blogs over the past few months I always looked forward to reading the next one to see how God was moving in your life. You are such an inspiration! God bless you and I will continue to pray for you as you continue the life you have been given.

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Billie A

6/6/2018 02:26:30 pm

OH MY GOSH. IT HAS HAPPENED!!!!!! All the prayers from my family and so many other (I’ll bet you too) have been answered. I’m so happy I can’t type what I feel for you. You were strong,you were brave,you wer the Rye all know!
“My fight is stronger” earned it’s meaning !

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Denise Ray

6/6/2018 06:18:06 pm

Rylie I am crying. I cried the day you had gotten diagnosed. I cried with my girls the day your parents whisked you away in a state of urgency to Children’s Hospital in Houston. I cried every step of the way, from your bone marrow biopsy results to you losing your hair. I cried listening to Coach Tom talk about you at the Swim banquet. And I cried happy tears upon learning that you were indeed cancer free. The lessons you’ve learned through this extraordinary experience gave birth to words and inspiration that are far reaching. You have NO idea whom you’ve touched and just how far your impact has traveled. Thank God for the miracle of you.

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Karen Paratore

6/6/2018 06:39:06 pm

Bravest Girl I know!! Can't wait for the "ring the bell" ceremony!! You ROCK!!

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Audrey Arechiga-Kajs

6/6/2018 06:39:57 pm

Amen! Praise God!

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Jill Calder

6/6/2018 06:59:14 pm

Hallelujah! Praise God for answered prayers! You are amazing! You beat cancer, so go to Waco this fall and Sic ‘em Bears! Ring that bell! My love and prayers!

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Jennifer Sigler

6/6/2018 07:11:44 pm

Rylie,
It has been such a blessing to follow your journey and to now hear such amazing news. God is good. All the time. Continuing to pray for you as you undergo this next phase of radiation.
Jennifer ❤️

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Candie Rodriguez

6/6/2018 09:24:08 pm

You are a beautiful inspiration and I am so thankful you have shared your journey! Prayers for you and your sweet and precious family!

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Gloria Norwood Villella

6/6/2018 10:01:55 pm

Rylie, I went to high school with you grandfather, James. I have been reading your updates and praying for you, as have the members of my Sunday School class. We rejoiced Sunday when I told them you are cancer free! Our God is an awesome God! I think you are a gifted writer and I hope you will consider having you "journey" published. I think it would be a tremendous help and encouragement for others going through a similar experience. I will continue to pray for you and pray that God will lead and direct you in your future.

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Janet Svrcek

6/7/2018 07:08:28 am

3 words: Praise The Lord!
Such good news! You kicked cancer's ass! Thanks for allowing me and others to follow along with your journey. You are an amazing young lady.

Praise God.!! Thank you God for Rylie and how she had blessed and amazed so many of us. Rylie you have been and still are such an inspiration to. Us. Hope you continue to keep us up with you. Love you so much. God's blessings as you begin this new adventure of college and the rest of your exciting journey.

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Jim & Sharon Silver

6/7/2018 09:24:05 pm

Rylie, Congratulations on officially being Cancer free! We will still be praying for you as you undergo your radiation treatments! We know you will stay positive and tough through the radiation. After what you have been through, the radiation, although difficult, will seem like worthwhile insurance to hopefully keep Cancer away forever! We are reminded of the saying, "Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom." Perhaps it is the same way with cancer - we all should be more vigilant, as well, to live healthy lifestyles. We are in awe of how much you have grown in the last five months! You are wise beyond your years and have already seen life with more depth than most of us! Use your profound insight on what life is really about - living, loving and enjoying the gift of life to continue your writing and inspiring others! You have been given a gift from God - a deep appreciation for life. You are going to be a GREAT writer - you already have a spectacular start. We look forward to your future writing and are huge fans already! Keep up your beautiful writing style! God bless you Rylie, and again - Congratulations!

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Brenda Kouri

6/8/2018 08:12:19 am

Woohoo! I am so happy that you are cancer free!

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Morgan Poulain

6/9/2018 03:17:04 pm

Rylie, you have inspired people everywhere!! Congrats on defeating cancer and it has been so much fun reading your blogs and they have inspired me so much! Thank you. Hope I get to see you at church Sunday.

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Pop Pop

6/10/2018 11:27:58 am

You fought an amazing fight, so many prayed daily, and God listened.....may many, many people who read this get to know Jesus.
I love and admire you so much and look forward to the next 4 years having you so close to us at BU. 24-7 always a call away.

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Janice Polak

6/12/2018 07:59:56 am

So very happy for you Rylie. I don’t know you and you don’t know me. I am a cousin to Rebecca and Clint Heath and their family. I have been praying for you and God is so good. You have been such an inspiration to all who read your blog. I will continue to pray for your body to heal. Enjoy your life! I know God has a wonderful purpose for you.

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Jim & Sharon Silver

6/26/2018 10:06:53 am

Rylee,
Talking to your Grandmother (Marti Koch), we heard that the Radiation treatment has been very difficult. We want you to know we are praying for you more than ever now, in your hour of need. Hang tough, finish like a Champion, and know that we are constantly thinking of you and praying for you. You are at that 20 mile distance of the 26 mile Marathon. I have not run a Marathon, but friends who have, said from 20 miles on its just pain management and survival. Be tough and finish that Marathon! We love you and are cheering you on now more than ever! God bless you, and don't be hesitant to lean on Jesus for support through prayer!

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Kevin Austin

6/27/2018 09:27:01 am

Rylee

I have been checking in on the blog to see if there is a new one and decided to write again just to let you know I am praying for you and know that you know He is with you. You have been such an inspiration as to God's goodness and strength that you draw from Him. I know you don't know me but we know Marti and James. I think I have shared these verse with you before but want to again. When times get tough I come back to these few verses that really make my relationship personal with God as I know it is with you.

Isaiah 43 New International Version (NIV)
Israel’s Only Savior
43 But now, this is what the Lord says--
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior

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Chuck and Melanie Griffin

7/8/2018 10:50:03 am

Praise the Lord!!! Cancer picked on the wrong girl! Rylie, you have truly been and inspiration during this trial. Your faith and your strength have been amazing to read about. You are a special young lady and I know God has some big plans for you. Keep on writing, you have an awesome gift.